US

MLS / Union

Union match rescheduled, on national TV

Toronto FC’s first home match on the new grass field at BMO Field has been moved up to April 15, putting Toronto and visitors Philadelphia Union on national TV for a Thursday night match. The Union today announced the rescheduling of the match, which was originally set for Saturday, April 17. […]

Union link with minor league team
MLS / Reading United AC / Union / USL

Union link with minor league team

Philadelphia Union have brought on Reading United AC as a minor league affiliate, the team announced Monday. “Our technical staff will work closely with the coaches at YSC and Reading United AC to ensure everyone in the program has the best insights to the game we can provide,” Philadelphia Union manager […]

Ikea, Xbox and the Union
MLS / Union

Ikea, Xbox and the Union

So you were selected in the MLS expansion draft, but what now? If you are former San Jose Earthquake winger Shea Salinas, you now have to sell all your furniture and move across the country. Shea was recently featured on news site MLS Daily when his Craigslist posting for “Used […]

Independence home opener: April 11
Independence / WPS

Independence home opener: April 11

The Philadelphia Independence will open their season April 11 at John A. Farrell Stadium in West Chester, the team announced Thursday night. The Independence, an expansion team in Women’s Professional Soccer, will play a fellow expansion team, the Atlanta Beat. Their second match will come against the Boston Breakers in […]

European designated players for the Union
MLS / Real Madrid / Union

European designated players for the Union

The inaugural Philadelphia Union roster has been taking shape over the last month, and fans have good reason to be excited. Via the expansion draft, they picked up a highly experienced (if a bit dive-y) striker in Alejandro Moreno, a tenacious forward ala-Dirk Kuyt in Sebastien Le Toux, and a […]

White "finished" in Denmark, on to Philly?
MLS / Union

White "finished" in Denmark, on to Philly?

Jeremiah White has not made the team at AGF Aarhus the last week and could be done in Denmark’s league, with a move to Philadelphia Union appearing increasingly likely. A Danish TV station reported White, who hails from the Philadelphia area, is “finished” at Aarhus. “I’ve been here almost three […]

History / NASL / US Soccer History / USL

That USL/TOA/NASL thing, part II

On Tuesday I posted a timeline describing the development of the USL  since its origins as an indoor soccer league in 1986, through its absorption of other professional leagues in the 199os and its eventual (incidental?) purchase by Nike in 2008. Creating the time-line was made easier thanks to the […]

English Premier League / Los Angeles Galaxy / MLS

Donovan re-signs with Galaxy

Landon Donovan has agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the club announced today. Donovan will, however, move to Everton in the English Premier League on a loan beginning in January, the Los Angeles Times reports. The agreement allows Donovan freedom on off-season loans, but it […]

Union hire Vartughian to coach goalies
MLS / Union

Union hire Vartughian to coach goalies

Philadelphia Union have hired University of Maryland assistant Rob Vartughian as their goalkeepers coach. Major League Soccer announced on Tuesday night that Vartughian would immediately start work for the Union, with whom he has some strong past ties. Vartughian worked with Union manager Peter Nowak last year, when he coached goalkeepers on the […]

History / NASL / US Soccer History / USL

That USL/TOA/NASL thing, part I

You are probably aware that a breakaway group of owners (the Team Owners Association, aka “the TOA”) has left the United Soccer Leagues (USL) to form a new league intended to rival, if not supplant, the USL for Division 2 status in the American soccer pyramid. More recently, you may […]